contortion in harvard square? opinions

[teeloo]

hi,

i'm at montreal's national circus school right now, and was thinking of going to boston/cambridge for the summer to try my hand at street performing, maybe in harvard square.

anyone have any thoughts on how a contortion act could make out there? i've never seen a contortionist street perfoming anywhere, but i'm finding it hard to find a good gig for the summer months.

my other option is teaching at a summer camp because at least the money is steady, but i'd really prefer to be performing.

[scot]

If you want to do silent contortion to music with no interaction, you may be better off not street performing.

The acts that work the best on the street are interactive.

[Airborne Dan]

Ummmmmm.....

There's a street performing contortionist who comes to Harvard Square and Faneuil Hall every year. His name is Alakazam. He rocks! Literally.

So in answer to your question:

"anyone have any thoughts on how a contortion act could make out there?"

Yes. In fact I think you can do anything street performing and make it. It's all in the presentation. You could even be a jester and people might watch and tip you if they like it. Or if they feel sorry for you.

What I'm trying to say here is; there are a number of contortionists performing on the street right now. Just like there are a number of jugglers, mimes, magicians, acrobats, stilt walkers, dancers, comedians, chalk artists actors, musicians, puppeteers, face painters, balloon twisters, organ grinders, fire eaters and flea circuses. And more.

The acts that make it on the street are the ones that work on the street. The only way to find out is to try it. So come on down to Boston. Montreal is only a few hours away so try it fer Christ's sake.

[UCO]

Go for it man, Just remember that the street they have not bought any tickets, and you will get paid if they like you, It is hardly about what you do. But a good presention is what works.
As a contortionist you should organize your tricks so you are able to to them numerous times a day, without having to take weeks off because you over did it on the street.
It is not really what they teach you in school. I live in montreal too and I came here for the circus scene, definately not the street scene here.
Some where in this forum lies a structural for a street show that is really good. Wrote by the butterfly man.I have used that to start and also remember it takes a while to develop a show on the show: Eloise has my number if you want to chat